Dr Alex Allinson MHK introduced an Assisted Dying Private Members’ Bill in the Isle of Man on Tuesday. Members of the island’s Parliament voted 22 to 2 for the Bill to be introduced. Humanists UK welcomes this Bill, which will see the Isle of Man follow Jersey and Scotland in exploring, debating, and voting on assisted dying.
The Bill is modelled on Baroness Meacher’s Assisted Dying Bill and would allow terminally ill, mentally competent adults the choice of an assisted death. A Citizen’s Jury in Jersey voted for a broader bill that will also include the incurably and intolerably suffering. In December 2021, Jersey’s States Assembly voted to support assisted dying ‘in principle’.
Meanwhile, Liam McArthur MSP’s Proposed Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is picking up support in the Scottish Parliament.
A public consultation in the Isle of Man is expected to be held over the summer and a draft Bill should be available by the end of the year. This will then be reviewed by a committee of the Tynwald (Isle of Man’s Parliament).
Humanists UK Assisted Dying Campaigner Nathan Stilwell said:
‘We are delighted to see that the Isle of Man is following in the footsteps of Jersey and Scotland. We very much hope the Bill progresses. England and Wales is falling further and further behind the other nations and crown dependencies.
‘However, in the meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group this week, Lauren Nicklinson – the daughter of Tony Nicklinson, the late assisted dying campaigner – asked parliamentarians not to forget her father’s struggles and his wish for compassionate, pain-free death on his terms. It’s important that the incurably, intolerably suffering, not just the terminally ill, are included in any assisted dying legislation.’
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For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 020 7324 3072 or 020 3675 0959.
Read the ONS study on suicides among people diagnosed with severe health conditions.
Read more about our campaign to legalise assisted dying in the UK.
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